BILL NUMBER: S8622
SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to doula friendly
work spaces
 
PURPOSE:
To increase the amount of information we have regarding the respectful
integration of doula services in birthing delivery teams and healthcare
practices and facilities and to recommend metrics for more formally
Designating Doula Friendly Spaces
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Legislative Findings.
Section 2. Mandates the department of health to prepare a comprehensive
study and report on the integration of doula services in birthing deliv-
ery teams and healthcare delivery facilities and recommend metrics to
formally designate doula friendly spaces.
Section 3. Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Maternal mortality has a devastating impact on the State of New York.
Providing improved access to community doula care and support services
is a proven way to address maternal morbidity and maternal mental
health, and to reduce birth complications for the mother and baby,
particularly in vulnerable patient populations like the Medicaid popu-
lation. A doula is a trained, non-clinical professional who provides
physical, emotional, and informational support to a pregnant person
before, during, and after childbirth.
Doula friendly institutions consistently demonstrate support of the
doula's role in its full scope and integrate doulas into the birthing
team. Doula friendliness is grounded in policies and practices that
reflect an understanding of the benefits of doula care, and actively
create a space where patients, doulas, and clinicians collaborate to
ensure the best birth and experience for the patient.
Based on challenges identified during the New York State Doula Pilot
Program (2019-2023) and feedback offered by community doulas at
the(2023) New York State Department of Health's Doula Medicaid Services
Benefit Stakeholder Meetings, this Designating Doula Friendly Spaces
study and report would expand state knowledge of the ways doulas are(and
are not) welcomed and respected as participants in birthing delivery
teams in healthcare facilities across New York.
The study would also allow New York to identify cultural and linguistic
imbalances that may hinder the communication between doulas and birthing
people and other members of a birthing delivery team that can result in
the prevention of disrespectful interactions, bullying, and discrimi-
nation from care providers. This study and proposal of recommendations
for formal metrics for Doula Friendly Spaces would allow New York to
develop strategies to more rigorously test and measure outcomes for a
statewide doula friendly designation that would be relevant in facili-
ties across the geographic diversity of the state. In light of New
York's decision to add doula care benefits to its Medicaid program in
2024, creating respectful and collaborative work environments for doulas
is of critical importance.
The outcome of this study and recommendation efforts will be to encour-
age and incentivise birthing delivery teams and healthcare facilities to
better integrate doula care into standard birthing practices as a way to
address and combat maternal health disparities throughout the state,
particularly in the Medicaid population.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24: S7780A Passed Senate
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day it shall have become a
law.